And They Lived…
A novel-length story of Alice returning to Underland, making friends, and falling in love. How one changes as the years pass, as hopes and dreams are both dashed and realized; all the while the past becomes a memory and the future is yet foretold.
Rating: Will start as K+, but will change as the story progresses
Genre: A little bit of everything, so pick your favorite! Reader's choice!
Brief Summary: The true story of friends, family, love, and loss between the inhabitants of Underland.
A/N: I am trying to keep ahead of myself (and keep the story on track) so this story is already partially written. Hopefully that means there won't be any extended hiatuses while posting, which will keep you all happy! =) And yes, fangirls, there may be some Halice hints somewhere in this story, but not yet! Takes place in Burtonverse, but the movie didn't show everything, so I make some things up as I go along. =P Constructive criticism is welcome, but flames? Flames will be doused with deliciously freezing cold ice water *evil laugh*
The title (and inspiration for this story) is a take on the final lines of the movie Ever After. Please recall them if you ever get frustrated with me, lol: "And, while Cinderella and her prince did live happily ever after, the point, gentlemen, is that they lived."
Disclaimer:I don't own Alice in Wonderland, yadda, yadda, yadda, nor the characters, blah, blah, blah, only the plot is mine, etc, etc, don't sue. Onward!
Chapter One: Drawing to a Close
"It'd be nice if you'd help a bit." McTwisp frowned as he hauled the last of the Champion's Armour into a large bag.
Chessur hovered lazily above and grinned in response. To his pleasure, it proved to further irritate the White Rabbit.
"I've spent the past three quarters of an hour dragging this armour across the floor without the least bit of assistance from you. I haven't the slightest idea why the White Queen would send you, out of all of Underland, to assist in the Room of Doors clean up!" McTwisp threw up his paws in frustration.
"Why, who else could make the key, pishsalver, and upelkuchen appear at will?" Chess proved his point by disappearing and reappearing with each item in succession. "You of all creatures know this."
"Your services are only required when an Abovelander enters this room. However, anyone can reset it," McTwisp picked up the items Chess brought into the space and dramatically placed them in their correct places, "and could have done a much better job as well!"
"But my dear Nivens, that would go against the wishes of the White Queen," Chessur drawled with his head on his paws, grinning even wider than usual.
McTwisp sighed at the annoyingly useless cat and tied up the bag with the armour inside. It was no use arguing with him. Instead, he checked his pocket watch and hurriedly returned it to the pocket of his waistcoat.
"Come, Chess, or we shall be late for the Frabjous Day banquet."
To McTwisp's dismay, the cat disappeared and reappeared on the other side of the threshold of the one open full-height door.
"Coming?" Chess beckoned, sitting on the cool marble floor of Marmoreal.
McTwisp huffed, picked up the handle on the bag of armour, and dragged it through the door. Once through, the door shut itself, sealing the room from any Underland visitors. The room patiently waited in dark silence for its next visitor from Above to arrive.
The footman closed the door, sealing Alice and her mother in the stuffy carriage. Alice let out an unladylike sigh and began removing her gloves.
"Alice!" Helen cried, shocked at her daughter's impropriety.
"Mother, there are no others in here besides you and me," Alice stated firmly. "No one will know that I've removed my gloves." Alice ignored her mother's deep frown, folded her gloves on her lap, and wiped her sweaty palms on her handkerchief.
Helen decided not to press the issue any further. Alice had come back from China voluntarily wearing corsets and stockings, and Helen was unwilling to reverse her daughter's progress by debating glove etiquette.
"How was your meeting with Lord Ascot?"
"It went as expected," Alice stated, looking out the window.
"Any news?" Helen pressed.
"Nothing of interest."
"Alice," Helen said sharply.
Alice faced her mother with an equally irritated expression. She knew her mother would not stop asking questions until given a satisfactory answer. And admittedly, Alice was being disagreeable for no other reason than she felt like being so.
"I'm sorry," Alice relented. "I'm tired from all of the business talk."
Helen softened, "Oh, Alice dear, of course you must be! A woman isn't built for gentlemen's discussion." Alice's face hardened, but Helen didn't seem to notice. "Rest now, we shall be home shortly and tea will be waiting."
Alice wanted to yell at her mother for her narrow-minded views, but Helen clearly gave a look that signified End of Discussion. After everything Alice had done for her father's company, she was still viewed as a weak woman who should stay in her place.
She had been shown time and time again during her apprenticeship that, according to men, she did not belong. Alice had grown tired of their patronizing comments even after she'd done three times the work for a fraction of their pay, all while doubling the trade route. It was still never enough for those men. They still wanted her out.
Well Alice was getting out. She signed the papers with Lord Ascot this afternoon, releasing her from her apprenticeship. But in no uncertain terms she told him that the constant disrespect from his staff was not the reason she was leaving. No, she instead had her own business to attend to, and that did not involve working for Lord Ascot. Her business was much more important than that.
Alice had to return to Underland.